There is always something special about a homecoming show. Family comes to visit. Old and new friends spread the word throughout their communities. Memories begin to accumulate of shows from the past. It could be assumed that this is what Our Last Night was going through before their show at the Worcester Palladium on March 24th, 2018. But before we get to the final act, there were some impressive performances put on beforehand.

First Up: Jule Vera

Although this group may not fit in with the rest of the Rock community, their presence in the Alternative music world is well known. Backed by a blissful piano, Ansley Newman (lead vocalist) displayed her wide vocal range while the rest of her bandmates followed suit. Songs like “Scarlet Letter” off of Friendly Enemies (2015) and “Bad Company” off of Waiting On The Sun (2017) were soft enough to set the mood to “chill”. On the other hand, they were also upbeat enough to get the floor jumping in harmony. Overall, Jule Vera was a wonderful band to listen to as well as a great opening act to initiate the evening’s festivities.

Second Up: Don Broco

Like many European artists and bands, when traveling abroad and performing in different counties, you probably never know what you’re going to see or expect. That being the case, bringing nothing but 100% to the stage is almost required. Which is exactly what Don Broco did. A Bedford, North London party was brought across the pond to the Worcester, Massachusetts. A Don Broco performance is a mixture of cowbells and poppy riffs while also throwing a wall of death in the mix. Rob Damiani (lead vocalist) had everyone in the crowd take of their shirts and swing them around their heads in a “European” fashion during the performance of “T-Shirt Song” off of Technology (2018). This set was a wild and unexpected experience if you have not seen Don Broco perform live before. Also, kudos to Simon Delaney (lead guitarist) for practically swinging his legs up and over his head while rocking out – which did NOT look easy.

Third Up: I The Mighty

If only Jule Vera and I The Mighty went on tour together, they would be a match made in heaven. The progressive/indie/alternative vibe that was being projected from the stage was strongly apparent. Simply put, the most popular songs played by the San Francisco natives were “Speak to Me” off of Satori (2013) and “Where the Mind Wants to Go” off of Where the Mind Wants to Go/ Where You Let it Go (2017). Something special about I the Mighty was that their songs were easily relatable. The lyrics behind each track passionately resonated to those listening in some way. Which was the feel that many fans were receiving during their set. Some attendees were getting emotional while singing alongside their concert neighbor. This is a talented group with the ability to do big things with their creative, collective minds.

Last but not least: Our Last Night

Appropriately timed, Our Last Night waited until ACDC’s “Back in Black” finished playing over the PA before taking the stage. According to Trevor Wentworth (lead vocalist), this performance was the largest of their career. What a feeling that must have been. To be playing at the same venue they spent so much time at as kids watching other bands live out their dream. Originating from southern New Hampshire, families of the band and crew huddled on the stage to watch their loved ones be embraced by their home crowd.

What a show. Our Last Night took a concert and turned it into an evening full of surprises and cooperation. How might this be the case? By having the pit attendees carry Woody Woodrow (bassist) from the stage all the way to the bar and back. During which, Woody took a shot of Jägermeister and brought back five Miller Lights for the rest of the fellas on stage. Which was executed perfectly. However, one thing for sure is that Our Last Night provided a wide variety of tempos, breakdowns, singalongs and melodies during their set. Heavier riffs were heard during “Ivory Tower” off of Selective Hearing (2017) while cell phones lit the venue during the ever popular “Sunrise” off of Oak Island (2013). Another aspect of Our Last Night that has been received overwhelming well is their ability to cover pop songs and turn them into their own metal renditions. Example of this was seen during their performance of Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You.” So far, almost every show has been sold out for Our Last Night on their Selective Hearing Tour.

Seeing bands return home to where they started is always a heartwarming experience to witness. To see their hard work payoff right in front of their eyes. And quite honestly, not too many New Hampshire bands can say they sold out the Palladium.

2018 is finally here, and I don't know about you, but I like to start the year off by finding new and different music. Tonight Alive is giving us just that with their album "Underworld," which releases tomorrow 1/12/18.

Tonight Alive has been a household name in the alternative music scene as the Syndey, Australia natives have toured all around the world with bands like All Time Low, Taking Back Sunday, Set It Off and more as well hitting the music festival scene such as Warped Tour and Slam Dunk Fest - gaining them a passionate fan base as a result.

"Underworld" is Tonight Alive's 4th album and consists of 13 tracks, including single Disappear featuring Lynn Gunn of PVRIS. Disappear is a catchy yet meaningful song that is reminiscent of Mid 2000s Emo(Flyleaf, etc). It's unique in sound from any Tonight Alive or PVRIS song and I can tell that this will become a fan favorite and in fact, I've hit replay at least 5 times so far today. Check out the music video

Tracks like Crack My Heart are emotional and have heavier lyrics like "Crack my heart open with your bare hands, watch me bleed" and my favorite, "It's only growing pain, nothing is permanent."

Looking For Heaven is a slower, pretty song that's very piano biased and has inspiring lyrics like "Life gives you what you need to know, so why just make it up as I go?"

You can also find another collaboration on the album in track My Underworld featuring Corey Taylor of Slip Knot. My Underworld is the perfect duet that compliment Corey and Jenna's talents. It isn't too slow, and allows the vocals and instruments to shine without being boring or overwhelming.

Front Woman Jenna McDougall has stated that Underworld is a darker album, inspired by the "ugly parts in me that I wasn't ready to see until now." This album will definitely make you delve deeper into your emotions and fortunately, is the music you need to cope with them and an album you can relate to. I certainly am a bigger fan after this album.

Veil of Maya have been shredding the hardcore and metal music scene since 2014, and 2017 is no exception. The Chicago, IL based band continues to dominate with their progressive metal sound, and it shows in their new album, False Idol out on October 20.

False Idol consists of 13 tracks and was released via Sumerian Records. While many would classify the album as being heavy metal, it still has a tuneful, hardcore vibe.

​The combination of “traditional” singing and the angst of the heavy metal shout in ‘False Idol’ will have fans of different music genres entertained. As someone who has yet to dabble far into the metal scene, I’m finding favorites off the album such as 'Manichee' and if you’re looking for a good mix of heavy metal and rock, that’s the song for you.

Veil of Maya have also released music videos for ‘Overthrow’ and ‘Doublespeak,’ which can be tide you over until the full album is released tomorrow, 10/20/17.

If you’re a fan of Born of Osiris, Chelsea Grin, White Chapel, and others in the scene, then you’ll love Veil of Maya and ‘False Idol’ no doubt will quickly make your ‘most played’ list on iTunes/Spotify.

The classic punk, metal vibe of Veil of Maya is evident in False Idol and the live shows are not ones you’ll want to miss. The energetic and emotional aspects of every song will have plenty of angry finger pointing, stage diving, and jumping around. Who doesn’t love that?

In fact, Veil of Maya will be heading out on tour soon, beginning October 20 in Dallas, TX and wrapping up in Chicago, IL on November 4.

​If you miss the grunge sound of the ‘90s, you need to listen to this album.

Simple drum-beats, heavy guitar riffs, vocal reverb, and thought provoking lyrics are all present in the modern rock-duo, Black Satellite latest album Endless.Larissa Vale and Kyle Hawken have recorded something special.I’ll be honest, after my first listen through Endless I wasn’t attracted to the album. The vibe made me want to – never mind, just a lot of dark thoughts. But willing to give it a second chance, I reconciled, and the album grew on me.Black Satellite brings in a heavy alternative, arena-grunge sound to the table on Endless there are some other obvious influences including Alice In Chains, Muse, Marilyn Manson and Nirvana. Lead vocalist Larissa Vale maintains a steady vocal pitch that really captures the sounds of this moment. The album begins in the shadows with the dark and eerie track ‘Affliction.’ Not much to say about this song other than the fact that it gave me the creeps – “Just set me on fire. Why can’t I make this pollution in my head? Why can’t I make this?”Jesus Christ – this song is by far the most edgy in my opinion, but it works. Valeconfronts her fears head on and embraces them and I commend her being so brutally honest.Personal favorites on the album are ‘Blind,’ ‘Valkyrie,’ and ‘Calamity.’ ͞These three tracks shine the brightest and best showcase the band’s ability to blend layers of guitar riffs with Vale’s dynamic vocals. Stream Endless via Spotify below. ​

*Cue flashback* it's around the year 2000 and high school is just a drag. Teachers, significant others, and papers galore. You're walking home and you decide to pop in one of your favorite records into that sweet portable CD player you always carry around. What comes through the headphones? Probably Blink-182's Enema of the State or maybe New Found Glory's self-titled record (or if you're feeling particularly cheeky maybe NSYNC's ​No Strings Attached.)

Now picture yourself there, and imagine Neck Deep's The Peace and the Panic; you'd be hard pressed to imagine that it simply doesn't belong. Well friends, that's the beauty that is Neck Deep's third album; a meld of the classic pop-punk genre with modern elements of what the genre has to offer for today's audiences.

Looking on the album as a whole, the title isn't just the title here, but serves as provided functionality on to how to listen to the album track by track. There's a clear divide in tones between tracks on the record. One track will fill you with emotion and glee, while the next will exude manic and chaotic tantrums of moshing delight. For example, track five, "In Bloom" captures joy similar to jumping around in a colorful bouncy castle, while the preceding track, "Don't Wait" is the punk anthem that will have you breaking down the walls of the establishment in the traditional punk fashion, which is fueled by the screams of The Architect's Sam Carter assisting in the demolition of said establishment.

Now with The Peace and the Panic comes many different thoughts someone would have every day; messages to loved ones, significant others and family members, on tracks like "Wish You Were Here" and "Where Do We Go When We Go." Messages of tearing down the establishment and warnings to be careful not to believe everything you hear ("Happy Judgement Day," "Don't Wait") make this record something accessible to audiences old and new, and audiences of different genres; making this a refreshing reminder that "pop-punk's not dead."

This sentiment is especially evident in the opening track "Motion Sickness" where the musicianship of each band member piles into the front seat and drives. Vocalist Ben Barlow continuously impresses with his voice that embodies the genre; guitarists Matt West and Sam Bowden show off their skills in every track, which can usually get lost when it comes to the kind of sound, which is also where Bassist Fil Thorpe-Evans shines, proving that there can be complex bass tracks in pop-punk. Then last but not least, the drums provided by Dani Washington, are nothing short of professional, evident in the many opportunities he took in each fill.

From the sounds of nostalgic bliss of years gone past, to modern sentiments embedded in each song, this record delivers. In their own fashion, the band keeps the pioneers of the genre in reverence, but offers a modern hint of personal flair that makes them stand out today.

The Peace and the Panic is out August 18th and can be pre-ordered by visiting the link here and tickets for their upcoming The Peace and the Panic USA Tour kicking off in early 2018 can be purchased here.

Savagery, absolute savagery. That's a great way to introduce Motionless In White's brand new album, Graveyard Shift. If you are looking for a record that breaks all the rules and does it with grace and callous, this is your album. In this review, we break the band's fourth studio record song by song... hold on to your seat.

Rats

Motionless wastes no time kicking the album off with, "Rats." After a quick EDM intro, axe-man, Ricky Horror breaks into a monster riff that will drives the rest of the song. Like most tracks on Graveyard Shift, "Rats" is a straight forward, fist pounding, anthem designed to leave fans ready for war.

Queen For Queen

Get comfortable being uncomfortable, because Chris Motionless has no plans of letting you slow down. Another monster-sized riff brings us "Queen For Queen." The track is a straightforward metalcore tune with a catchy chorus, "When you fall down will you back out, As you crawl through life with no crown."

Necessary Evil (Ft. Jonathan Davis)

It's our bet this one is the next single from Graveyard Shift. Join Motionless as they invite Nu Metal legend Jonathan Davis of Korn for some crushing guest vocals on "Necessary Evil." This monster sing-along has Chris Motionless reminding you, "It's my party and I'll die when I want to."

Soft

Damn... This song is designed for a rough day. If you're having one, crank this track to 11 and enjoy the ride. We will compare this track to Avenged Sevenfold's "God Damn," the song on the album leaving you ready for pretty much anything. We can't wait to see what favors frontman Chris Motionless asks for from his pits during this track.

Untouchable

Returning to sensational catchy EDM beats, "Untouchable" is an upbeat anthem built on self-confidence. The song is driven by a simple and memorable beat, reminding you, "​Through everywhere that I go, Every failure I fold, Every crack in my bones, I'm untouchable." This is song is designed to carry you through and remind you your inner strength, thanks Motionless :).

Not My Type: Dead As F*** 2

Would it really be a Motionless album if there wasn't a song you could picture your self having the best Halloween of your life to? No. That's why we have "Not My Type." Drawing on their Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson influences, "Not My Type" is one of the most cinematic tracks on the album. If a haunted hayride with Ghost and Vinny sounds like a good time, jump into this one.

The Ladder

Chris Motionless reveals his inner romantic on, "The Ladder." This song is all about finding true love, your yellow umbrella. Well, Motionless In White style at least. Gotye fans can rejoice as the band shows tribute to, "Now you're just somebody that I used to..." Well let you figure that one out.

Voices

"Voices in my head again, Trapped in a war inside my own skin, They're pulling me ." This track is guaranteed to be one you will not forget. "Voices" is an old-school, contagiously catchy rock song. Keeping company with bands like Three Days Grace and Breaking Benjamin, Motionless executes flawlessly on "Voices." If you're looking for a song to have stuck in your head, click the triangle.

LOUD (F***It)

You may have heard this one, it was the band's first music video for Graveyard Shift. One of the band's leading singles "LOUD" is total jam. This song is about making a name for yourself no matter what life throws out you. We're all about that here at HR TV, "You gotta be loud, You gotta be rude, So the world can hear you, You gotta be crass, You gotta be cold, It’s everything we know, Turn it up, turn it up now!"

570

In case anyone needed Scranton, Pennsylvania's Area Code, here you go. This song is about knowing your roots and knowing your phone number. Hey Chris, we're 617 in Boston. "570," is a throwback to the Motionless you first discovered at Warped Tour. It is always great to see a band protect elements of who they have always been, "570" hits that mark.

Hourglass

Life is short guys, listen to metal. "Hourglass" is another old-school Motionless tune. With metalcore riffing in full force, "Hourglass" reminds us to take each step carefully, "It's too late to feel I've lost my breath, With the hands of time around my neck, Am I more than a pillar of the past, Or am I just a sand enslaved by the hourglass."

Eternally Yours

The first single from Graveyard Shift is the same song that sends us home. "Eternally Yours" is an impressive evolution of Motionless' sound. "Eternally Yours" is an all out sing-a-long, with the riffing and breakdowns the band would be remiss to leave behind. We can see why the band chose this as the first taste. "Eternally Yours" has the punch that make the pit bounce and the melody you will sing the whole drive home from their show.

Graveyard Shift, might by our favorite from Motionless yet. It has attitude, it has creativity, and above all else, well-written melodies. Enjoy the album and be sure to catch the band on tour this summer.

From the very first track, “What a Feeling,” Citizen Zero’s newest LP State of Mind hooked me in, and pulled me closer to the amplifier’s screams. Soaring vocals, saturated and full guitar tones, and hard-hitting drums not only break the ice on this album, but turn the ice to dust, dropping the listener into the deep end of Citizen Zero’s amped-up sound. When the first song came to an end, I forgot that I was listening to a debut LP, and felt like I had known and been a mega-fan of this band for decades. The best part about entering the album is how the driven sound doesn’t let up as you get nearer to the title track, showing off guitar solos that sound as if Angus Young and Tony Iommi molded into one person, with at least four hands.

The fourth and title track of the album, “State of Mind,” nearly forced me to air-drum along; jamming out to fuzzy and over-driven guitar and downright stratospheric vocal lines in the chorus was the point of no return I became a Citizen Zero fan in what seemed like a blink of an eye. Halfway through the album, I had expected to be able to predict the band’s next moves in each song, but was surprised yet again when “Love Let It” came on, showing off the range of Citizen Zero even more, with verses that reminded me of The Police and choruses that reminded me of a harder-hitting Pearl Jam.

What Citizen Zero excels at in State of Mind is providing a sense of fond familiarity and nostalgia, while at the same time, instilling an ineffable distinction and uniqueness in just how each song is presented.

My instant favorite track on the album is the penultimate “Bangin’ In The Nails,” which invokes themes of guilt, accusations, and sacrifice with the imagery of a crucifixion. Lead singer Josh LeMay begs the question “are you hanging on the cross, or banging in the nails,” offering a commentary on perspective and deceit. State of Mind wraps up on a story about leaving the fear of being trapped and returning to a safe place in the song “Home.” LeMay’s vocals reach a peak of soulful tone as this power ballad signs Citizen Zero off into silence. That is, at least, until I inevitably hit the play button again, to experience it a ll once more. State of Mind by Citizen Zero is available August 12th, 2016, via WindUp Records.